Candidates come together in Wayland at Fifth Congressional District forum

Monday

Sep 30, 2013 at 12:01 AMSep 30, 2013 at 7:29 AM

At a forum hosted by the League of Women Voters, two Democratic candidates in the Fifth Congressional District race began by reproaching one of their Republican challengers for so-called sexist comments.

Sara Mulkeen/Daily News staff

At a forum hosted by the League of Women Voters, two Democratic candidates in the Fifth Congressional District race began by reproaching one of their Republican challengers for so-called sexist comments.

Nine of the 10 Democratic and Republican candidates in the primary election for the Fifth Congressional District appeared at the forum at Wayland Middle School Sunday afternoon hosted by the League of Women Voters of Sudbury, Wayland and Weston.

During introductions, State Sen. Katherine M. Clark, D-Melrose, called out Framingham Republican Tom Tierney for comments he made in a story published by the Daily News on Sunday.

"This is exactly the type of attitude we get from the extremist Republicans in Washington who are trying to turn the clock back on women's rights," Clark said.

Peter J. Koutoujian, D-Waltham, called on Tierney to apologize "not only to women voters, but all voters."

Tierney was also reprimanded by Paul John Maisano, D-Stoneham, when Tierney later during the forum referred to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi as "a woman scorned" while discussing gridlock between the two parties in Washington, D.C.

Tierney argued that he, along with Koutoujian, are the "strongest feminist" candidates among the 10.

Candidates were asked about their position on topics ranging from environmental issues to the biggest threat in the Middle East and asked what they would suggest for possible solutions.

"We have to respond urgently to climate change," said Clark, who recommended that national carbon pricing would not only reduce carbon emissions, but would also stimulate the innovation economy.

Michael P. Stopa, R-Holliston, said more research on the subject is needed.

"Global warming is not a hoax, but it is a hysteria," he said.

State Sen. Karen Spilka, D-Ashland, said increasing the minimum wage and making targeted investments are some of the best ways to close the wealth gap between the upper and middle classes.

"Congress needs to do what we have done right here in Massachusetts," Spilka said.

State Sen. William N. Brownsberger, D-Belmont, said globalization and automation have been forces behind an increasing disparity of wealth.

Maisano said the poor "need opportunities, not charity," and that in order to promote job growth, the government needs to encourage businesses to come back to the U.S. and stay by offering more incentives.

On local priorities, Clark said she wants to look at the effects of sequestration, while Brownsberger said he would support more funding for research and transportation.

Stopa said he would like to repeal the excise tax on medical device manufacturers, as well as the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Martin Long, D-Arlington, said he is an enthusiastic supporter of the ACA and that Republicans are afraid that it will be successful.

Carl Sciortino, D-Medford, said the ACA "is an amazing opportunity for our country" and that if elected he would push to eventually create a single-payer system.

The candidates varied in their responses on their most serious concern in the Middle East, though most said that ensuring the security of Israel as a democracy topped their foreign priority list.

"The most serious threat is if we don’t seize this opportunity for peace," Sciortino said.

Tierney said his biggest concern is preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, while Brownsberger said regardless of any specific issue, the U.S. should adopt and abide by a uniform foreign policy.

"No one really knows what the U.S. is about," Brownsberger said. "What is the U.S. policy? What is the U.S. role?"

Boston Republican Frank John Addivinola was unable to attend the forum due to a longstanding professional appointment, his campaign said.

The primary election for the Fifth Congressional District, which includes Southborough, Ashland, Framingham, Holliston, Natick, Sudbury and Wayland, is Tuesday, Oct. 15.

Sara Mulkeen can be reached at 508-490-7475 or smulkeen@wickedlocal.com.